Method and apparatus for waste degradation

ABSTRACT

A liquid waste degradation apparatus (10) and method using microorganism (15) in solution (13) to degrade waste compositions typically found in restaurant settings, is described. The microorganisms are initially cultivated and concentrated to between about 10 9  and 10 12  cells per gram, preferably dried and then placed in bags (11) for shipment to end users. To activate the microorganisms, the bags containing the microorganisms are provided in a support container and filled with water. The resulting solution is then periodically dispersed into a waste trap (21) holding the liquid waste composition by means of a peristaltic pump (25) controlled by a timer (27) so that the microorganisms can feed on the waste material to degrade the waste material. A waste degradation system (100) particularly adapted for use in an industrial setting is also described.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method forintroducing waste degrading microorganisms into a waste system fordegrading hydrocarbon waste compositions into carbon dioxide and water.In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus and amethod for degrading a liquid waste composition containing lipids,aromatic, aliphatic and other organic compounds by introducinghydrocarbon degrading microorganisms into a system containing the wastecompositions. The microorganisms feed on the waste hydrocarbons torender the resulting solution non-polluting. The degraded solution isthen removed by the sewage system without posing a risk to theenvironment.

(2) Prior Art

Organic compounds have been shown to be degraded as described in thefollowing references: U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,894 to Olsen et al; U.S. Pat.No. 4,593,003 to Vandenbergh; Vandenbergh, P. A. and A. M. Wright, Appl.Environ. Microbiol. 45: 1953-1955 (1983); Vandenbergh, P. A., C. F.Gonzalez, A. M. Wright and B. S. Kunka, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 46:128-132 (1983); Vandenbergh, P. A., R. H. Olsen and J. F. Colaruotolo,Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 42: 737-739 (1981); and Vandenbergh, P. A.,and R. L. Cole, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52: 939-940 (1986). The usefulapplication of bacteria to the environment to degrade waste has beenpreviously demonstrated by U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,003 to Vandenbergh. Also,U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,143 to Vandenbergh describes a mixture ofPseudomonas putida strains for degrading waste chemical compositions ofthe kind that are commonly found in the environment.

However, what is needed is an inexpensive and reliable apparatus that isuseful for dispensing microorganisms for degrading wastes that aretypically generated as a by-product of food preparation, such as isusually found in restaurants and the like. These wastes are typicallyfats and oils. Wastes that are generated during the preparation of foodsare periodically removed for treatment. The former practice posesserious pollution problems for the environment and is not acceptable. Asa practical matter, it is not possible to remove all of the waste whichaccumulate and some go down the drain. Most food preparation facilitieshave a trap which retains such wastes. The present invention provides ameans for disposing of the wastes in such traps.

There is also a need for an apparatus for dispensing microorganisms inan industrial setting. There is also a need for an inexpensive andreliable apparatus in this use setting.

OBJECTS

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for dispersing microorganisms into a waste material fordegrading the waste. Further, it is an object of the present inventionto provide a method for degrading a waste material held in a containmentvessel or trap with a solution of microorganisms wherein the wastecontainment vessel is periodically reinoculated with a fresh supply ofthe solution to ensure the continued degradation of the waste material.Further still, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for degrading a waste material that is easy to set up andoperate, and that can be retrofitted to existing waste storage vesselssuch as in restaurant kitchens and in industrial plants. These and otherobjects will become increasingly apparent by reference to the followingdescription and to the drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a waste degradation system 10 showing acrate 17 containing a bag 11 of microorganisms or cells 15 in an aqueoussolution 13 with a peristaltic pump 25 controlled by a timer 27 forpumping the solution 13 into a waste trap 21 containing liquid wastematerial 53.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a discharge end 19B of the feed line 19of the waste degradation system 10 as shown in FIG. 1 connected to thedrain line 55 after the drain line trap 58.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crate 17 for holding the bag 11 ofmicroorganisms 15 of the waste degradation system of FIG. 1 showing asolution feed line 19 entering the bag 11 through a plug 49.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing thefeed line 19 for drawing the aqueous solution 13 of microorganisms 15from the bag 11 supported by the crate 17.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of bags 11 containing themicroorganisms 15 for the waste degradation system of FIG. 1 packaged ina carton 29 for shipping.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the bag 11 of the waste degradationsystem of FIG. 1 supported in the crate 17 for filling the bag 11 withwater through hose 51 to bring the microorganisms 15 into solution 13,with the crate 17 shown in dashed lines.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a bag 101 containing the microorganisms 15for a waste degradation system 100 particularly adapted for industrialuse.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the waste degradation system 100 withthe bag 101 mounted in a drum 103.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8--8 of FIG. 7 showing thefeed line 117 for drawing the aqueous solution 13 of microorganisms 15from the bag 101 supported by the drum 103.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method for treating a waste materialto degrade the waste material, which comprises: providing a containmentmeans for holding microorganisms that can degrade the waste material;filling the containment means with water to form a liquid culture mediumwith the microorganisms, and metering the liquid culture medium into thewaste material over time to degrade the waste material, wherein theliquid culture medium is maintained at ambient temperatures during themetering.

Further, the present invention relates to a method for treating liquidwaste material to degrade the waste, which comprises: providing acollapsed, flexible bag with a closable and sealable opening andcontaining microorganisms which can degrade the waste material, whereinmicroorganisms contained in the bag are held at reduced temperatures sothat the microorganisms are viable prior to use; expanding andcompletely filling the bag with water through the opening, wherein thebag is provided in a containment means, which supports the bag to form aliquid culture medium with the microorganisms; and metering the liquidculture medium into the waste material over time to degrade the wastematerial, wherein the liquid culture medium is maintained at ambienttemperatures during the metering.

Further, the present invention relates to a method for treating a drainto degrade lipids which tend to clog the drain, which comprises:providing a collapsed, flexible bag means with a closable and sealableopening and containing microorganisms, which degrade the lipids whereinthe collapsed bag means is held at reduced temperatures so that themicroorganisms are viable to process viability prior to use; expandingand completely filling the bag means with water through the opening inthe bag means to form a liquid culture medium containing themicroorganisms, wherein the bag means is provided in a containmentmeans, which supports the bag means; and metering the liquid culturemedium through the opening in the bag means and into a drain over timeto degrade the lipids in the drain, wherein the liquid culture medium ismaintained at ambient temperatures during the metering.

Still further, the present invention relates to an apparatus formetering microorganisms into a waste stream which comprises: acollapsible flexible bag means with a closable and sealable opening, abottom at a lower end and flexible sidewalls between the ends forcontaining the microorganisms when collapsed and providing a liquidculture medium when the bag means is filled with water for metering intothe waste system; a containment means for supporting the sidewalls andbottom of the flexible bag means when filled with the liquid culturemedium and with an open top into which the bag means has been inserted;a first, flexible conduit means mounted through the closable opening inthe bag means, to adjacent the bottom of the bag means and extendingfrom the bag means through which the liquid culture medium can flow; apump means for metering the liquid culture medium through the firstconduit means and into the waste stream; and a second, flexible conduitmeans leading from the pump to the waste stream.

Finally, the present invention relates to an apparatus for meteringmicroorganisms into a drain, which comprises: a flexible bag means witha closable and sealable opening and a bottom at a lower end and flexiblesidewalls for containing the microorganisms when collapsed and providinga liquid culture medium when the bag means is filled with water formetering into the drain; a box shaped containing means for supportingthe sidewalls and the bottom of the flexible bag means when filled withthe liquid culture medium and with an open top into which the bag hasbeen inserted; a first flexible conduit means connected through theclosable opening in the bag means, to adjacent the bottom of the bagmeans and extending from the bag means; a pump means for mounting on awall adjacent to the drain for metering the liquid culture medium intothe drain; and a second flexible conduit means leading from the pumpmeans to the drain.

The microorganisms used are preferably Pseudomonas and Bacillus;however, other bacteria and fungi are also known to degrade waste. Suchmicroorganisms are well known to those skilled in the art.

The microorganisms can be cultured in various growth mediums. Themicroorganisms can usually be grown in a growth medium containing yeastextract, dextrose, tryptone, potassium nitrate and sodium chloride. Theyeast extract provides nitrogen and vitamins. Dextrose is a carbonsource. The inorganic salts aid growth. Normally bacterial strains onlygrow to about 10⁹ cells per gram and can be concentrated to 10¹⁴ cellsper gram. The cells are preferably centrifuged from the growth medium toprovide a concentrate containing between about 10¹¹ and 10¹² cells pergram. The microbial cells are preferably freeze-dried or lyophilized asis well known to those skilled in the art. Other methods involving airdrying the cells is also known and the cells can be held at roomtemperatures. The microbes can also be held as a culture at reducedtemperatures without being dried.

Specific Description EXAMPLE 1

FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate one preferred embodiment of a waste degradationsystem 10 of the present invention. The system 10 includes a bag 11 as acontainer for holding an aqueous solution 13 of microorganisms 15supported in a crate 17 for the bag 11. A solution feed hose 19 connectsbetween the bag 11 and a waste trap 21 for a sink 23. A pump 25 having atimer 27 regulates the periodic flow of the microorganism solution 13from the bag 11, through the hose 19 and into the waste trap 21.

The microorganisms 15 are grown in a growth medium as explained aboveand centrifuged, membrane filtered and/or otherwise concentrated to aconcentration of between about 10¹¹ and 10¹² cells per gram. Themicroorganisms 15 are then preferably freeze-dried or lyophilized andheld at reduced temperatures, preferably between about 32° F. and 59° F.(0° C. and 15° C.) (refrigeration temperatures) to preserve themicroorganisms 15 viability prior to use.

The process of freeze-drying or lyophilizing the microorganisms 15 canbe extremely damaging to the microorganisms 15. Typically, between 60%to 70% of the microorganisms 15 perish during the lyophilizing process.However, as explained above, the concentration of microorganisms 15 islarge enough before the lyophilizing process that a significant numbersurvive the lyophilizing process. The concentration of microorganisms 15that survive the lyophilizing or freeze-drying process is between about4×10¹⁰ and 4×10¹³ cells per gram. This concentration is sufficient foruse in the waste degradation system 10. The microorganisms 15 can alsobe preserved by air drying, using certain preservatives. The air driedprocess takes place at elevated temperatures which maintain theviability of the microorganisms 15. The air drying process is known tothose skilled in the art.

After the microorganisms 15 have been concentrated and preserved, themicroorganisms 15 are placed in the bags 11 for later shipment. Thedried microorganisms 15 can be stabilized to provide a longer life whenwater is added by using starch, sodium nitrate or other stabilizingagent. The amount of the stabilizing agent is 2 ounces (56.7 grams) per5 gallons (18.9 liters), or 20 ounces (566.6 grams) per 50 gallons(189.4 liters). The range is preferably 0.1 to 5 ounces (2.8 to 141.6grams) per 5 gallons (18.9 liters).

As shown in FIG. 4, the bags 11 are folded to minimize space andpackaged in a shipping carton 29. There are preferably twenty (20) bags11 per carton 29. If the microorganisms 15 are lyophilized, it isimportant that the carton 29 containing the bags 11 be stored in afreezer before use to maintain the microorganisms 15 in a viable state.Refrigerating the carton 29 can be done by any acceptable means.Preferably, the carton 29 is packed in dry ice or is shipped in arefrigerated shipping container (not shown). Microorganisms 15 preservedby air drying can be held at room temperatures.

The microorganisms 15 can be light sensitive and thus die faster whenexposed to light. Therefore, the bags 11 are preferably made of aflexible, plastic material such as polypropylene, which is opaque ortranslucent to reduce the amount of light reaching the microorganisms15.

To prepare the microorganisms 15 for use in a restaurant, a bag 11containing the microorganisms 15 is first placed in the crate 17, asshown in dashed lines in FIG. 5. The crate 17 has a rectangularcross-section along a longitudinal axis A--A (FIGS. 2 and 5) andincludes a top wall 31, a bottom end 33, a front side 35, a back side 37and opposed lateral sides 39 and 41 between the front and back sides 35and 37. The front side 35, the back side 37 and the opposed lateralsides 39 and 41 have a generally rectangular mesh that enables a personto visually see the bag 11 through the crate 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, the top wall 31 of the crate 17 is hinged to theback side 41 by hinges 43. When the top wall 31 is in the closedposition (FIGS. 2 and 3), a front latch 45 mates with a catch 35A on thefront side 35 of the crate 17. An opening 31A (FIG. 3), is provided inthe top wall 31 for receiving the bag 11. The opening 31A is offset fromthe axis A--A when the top wall 31 is in the closed position. Braces 47add support to the top wall 31 to help the top wall 31 support theweight of the filled bag 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bag 11 is comprised of opposed front andback walls 11A and 11B joined by a sidewall 11C that extends between theperimeter of the side walls 11A and 11B. A filler plug 49 having spacedapart upper and lower annular rims 49A and 49B is mounted in the top ofthe sidewall 11C of the bag 11. The filler plug 49 is preferably made ofan elastic material so that the upper annular rim 49A mounts in theopening 31A in the top 31 of the crate 17. This keeps the bag 11suspended in the crate 17 while the bag 11 is being filled with water(FIG. 5) to form the aqueous solution 13 of the microorganisms 15 andlater, as the solution 13 is being drained from the bag 11.

As shown in FIG. 5, the aqueous solution 13 of the microorganisms 15 ismade by first suspending the bag 11 in the crate 17 with the filler plug49 mounted in the opening 31A in the top wall 31. A filler hose 51 isthen inserted into the filler plug 49 to fill the bag 11 with wateruntil the bag 11 expends to the confines of the inside of the crate 17.The water brings the microorganisms 15 to ambient temperature, whichactivates the microorganisms 15 from their lyophilized or air-driedstate. The water is preferably held at a temperature of between about59° F. and 95° F. (15° C. and 35° C.). The bag 11 held in the crate 17is preferably capable of holding about 5 gallons (18.9 liters) of theaqueous solution 13 of microorganisms 15, which lasts about two (2) tofour (4) weeks, primarily because of the need to maintain the viabilityof the microorganisms 15 at room temperatures. The solution 13 can lastup to 30 days depending upon what stabilizing agent is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the crate 17 supporting the bag 11 containing themicroorganisms 15 in solution 13 along with the feed line 19, theperistaltic pump 25 and the timer 27 comprise the waste degradationsystem 10. The microorganisms 15 are particularly adapted to biodegradeliquid waste material 53 containing lipids or other hydrocarbons of thetype that are typically discharged into the waste trap 21 such as isfound in a restaurant or the like. Generated liquid waste 53 is usuallyplaced in the sink 23 and flushed down the drain line 55 where the waste53 collects in the waste trap 21. Therefore, to biodegrade the waste 53so that the resulting solution can be drawn out of the waste trap 21 bya discharge line 57 and moved to a sewer system (not shown) withoutposing a pollution risk to the environment, the solution 13 isperiodically metered into the waste trap 21 containing the liquid wastematerial 53. As shown in FIG. 1A, the solution 13 can also be meteredinto the drain line 55 leading to the waste trap 21. In this case, it ispreferred that the discharge end 19B of the feed line 19 connect withthe drain line 55 downstream from the drain line trap 58. The feed line19 can also connect with the drain line 55 upstream from the drain linetrap 58, although this is not preferred. In the waste trap 21, themicroorganisms 15 feed on the liquid waste 53, rendering the waste 53free of lipids and other harmful hydrocarbons.

Before the metering process begins, it is preferred that the waste trap21 be inoculated with an initial charge of the microorganisms 15. Thisis done by opening the trap lid 21A on the waste trap 21 and pouring arelatively large dosage of the microorganisms 15 into the waste trap 21.The liquid waste material 53 with the initial charge of microorganisms15 is then agitated with a hoe or similar device. The initial charge ofmicroorganisms 15 is preferably between about seven (7) ounces (200grams) of a mixed Pseudomonas culture containing 1×10¹² cells per gram.The purpose of introducing the initial charge of microorganisms 15 intothe waste trap 21 is to make sure that the initial liquid waste 53present in the waste trap 21 is rendered free of lipids and otherharmful hydrocarbons before the metering process of the solution 13 intothe waste trap 21 begins. The culture is available from OspreyBiotechnics, Inc., Oneco, Fla. as "ST". The culture for the solution isMunox GT™.

The metering process is done at predetermined intervals or time periodsto ensure that the waste material 53 in the waste trap 21 iscontinuously charged with a solution 13 of the microorganisms 15 in aconcentration that is sufficient to degrade the liquid waste 53. Thefeed line 19 is preferably a flexible conduit made of a plastic materialand connects to the peristaltic pump 25, which serves to move themicroorganism solution 13 from the bag 11 to the waste trap 21. A lowerend 19A of the feed line 19 can be provided with a strainer 59 toprevent obstruction of the feed line 19 by the bag 11. This would likelyoccur as the solution 13 is being depleted from the bag 11 and the bag11 begins to collapse around the feed line 19. The peristaltic pump 25is provided with electrical power from electrical outlet 61 byelectrical lead 63 and has a rotating member 25A that forces themicroorganism solution 13 from the bag 11, through the feed line 19 andinto the waste trap 21. In this manner, the microorganisms 15 are notinjured by the pumping action of pump 25. An integral timer 27, mountedon the pump 25, serves to actuate the pump 25 at predetermined timeintervals. The pump 25 is preferably actuated for about 15 minuteintervals, six times every 24 hours or every six seconds to provide apreferred dosage of 0.74 to 1.48 quarts (700 to 1400 ml) every 24 hoursfor the 5 gallon (18.9 liters) bag 11. This ensures that the waste trap21 is periodically reinoculated with the microorganism solution 13should the drain line 55 leading from the sink 23 into the waste trap 21become flooded with chlorine or boiling water or any other solution thatis toxic to the microorganisms 15.

Carton 29, holding twenty (20) folded bags 11 of the freeze-dried orlyophilized microorganisms 15 is shipped to an end user in arefrigerated state. When the user wants to rid the waste trap 21 ofliquid waste material 53 containing lipids and other hydrocarbons, theuser removes a single bag 11 from the carton 29 and mounts the bag 11 inthe crate 17. The bag 11 is then mounted in the crate 17. This is doneby mounting the upper annular rim 49A of the filler plug 49 in theopening 31A of the top wall 31 of the crate 17. The top wall 31 is thenclosed on the crate 17 with the front latch 45 mating with the catch 35Aon the front side 35 of the crate 17.

The filler hose 51 is then inserted into the filler plug 49 (FIG. 5) andthe bag 11 is filled with water to make the aqueous solution 13containing the microorganisms 15. The water is preferably at about 72°F. (22° C.) and the solution 13 contains microorganisms 15 at aconcentration of about 10⁶ cells per gram of solution 13. As the bag 11is being filled with water, the crate 17 serves to support the bag 11 tokeep the bag 11 from rupturing or collapsing.

Once the bag 11 is filled with water, the filler hose 51 is removed fromthe bag 11 and the feed hose 19 is inserted into the filler plug 49 inplace of the filler hose 51. The strainer 59 at the lower end 19A of thefeed hose 19 is positioned off the bottom end 33 of the crate 17. Thefeed line 19 is positioned on the rotor 25A of the peristaltic pump 25(FIG. 1) and the discharge end 19B of the feed line 19 is placed in thewaste trap 21. The peristaltic pump 25 is preferably actuated for 15minute intervals, six times in a 24 hour period, or every six seconds,to move the solution 13 from the bag 11 to the waste trap 21. That way,the waste trap 21 is periodically reinoculated with a fresh charge ofthe solution 13.

EXAMPLE 2

FIGS. 6 to 8, illustrate another preferred embodiment of a wastedegradation system 100 of the present invention. This embodiment isparticularly adapted to use the microorganisms 15 to biodegradehydrocarbon waste in an industrial setting. As shown in FIG. 6, thesystem 100 includes a bag 101 that contains the microorganisms 15 in alyophilized or air-dried state. The bag 101 is preferably made of aflexible, plastic material such as polypropylene, which is opaque ortranslucent to reduce the amount of light reaching the microorganisms15. After the microorganisms 15 are placed in the bag 101, the bag 101is folded and packaged for later shipment to an end user. If themicroorganisms 15 have been lyophilized or freeze-dried, the bag 101 isthen kept in a refrigerated condition until use, as has been previouslyexplained. It is also preferred that the microorganisms 15 be providedwith a stabilizing agent, as has been previously explained.

To prepare the microorganisms 15 for use in an industrial setting, a bag101 containing the microorganisms 15 is placed in a drum 103. The drum103 preferably holds about 55 gallons (208.3 liters) of solution 13containing the microorganisms 15 and is comprised of a cylindricalsidewall 103A extending from a bottom wall 103B. An upper end of thesidewall 103A of the drum 103, has an inwardly extending annular ledge103C and an outwardly and downwardly extending annular rim 103D. Anelongate bar 105, having spaced apart downwardly extending ends 105A, ismounted diametrically across the top of the drum 103. The ends 105A ofbar 105 extend below the annular rim 103D of drum 103 and provide forthreadably mounting bolts or screws 107. The bolts 107 can be unthreadedto a loosened position (not shown) for removing the bar 105 from thedrum 103. The bar 105 is also provided with a central opening 109 thatprovides for mounting the bag 101.

As shown in FIG. 8, the bag 101 is comprised of a cylindrical sidewall101A extending from a bottom wall 101B to a top wall 101C. The top wall101C of the bag 101 is provided with a filler plug 111 having a stopper113 when the bag 101 is being shipped and before use in the drum 103.The filler plug 111 has spaced apart upper and lower annular rims 111Aand 111B, which seal the filler plug 111 in the top wall 101C of the bag101. The filler plug 111 is preferably made of an elastic material andhas an annular lip 111C that provides for mounting the plug 111 in theopening 109 in the bar 105. This keeps the bag 101 suspended in the drum103 while the bag is being filled with water to form the aqueoussolution 13 of microorganisms 15 and later, as the bag 101 is beingdrained of the solution 13. The bar 105 is then secured to the top ofthe drum 103 with the bolts 107 threaded to engage the sidewall 103A ofthe drum 103.

As has been previously described, the aqueous solution 13 ofmicroorganisms 15, is made by filling the bag 101, which has beenmounted to the bar 105 and suspended in the drum 103, with water untilthe bag 101 expands to the confines of the inside of the drum 103. Thewater brings the microorganisms 15 to ambient temperature, whichactivates the microorganisms 15 from their lyophilized or air-driedstate. The water is preferably held at a temperature of between about59° F. and 95° F. (15° C. and 35° C.) and the bag 101, held in the drum103 is preferably capable of holding about 55 gallons (208.3 liters) ofthe aqueous solution 13. This amount of solution 13 preferably lastsabout two (2) to four (4) weeks, although the solution 13 can bedispersed over the period of one (1) day.

In use, the bag 101 is provided with a feed line 115 as a flexibleconduit means of a plastic material that connects to a peristaltic pump(not shown) controlled by a timer (not shown) in a similar manner aspreviously described with respect to the restaurant system of Example 1.A lower end 115A of the feed line 115 can be provided with a strainer117 to prevent obstruction of the feed line 115 by the bag 101 as thesolution 13 is depleted from the bag 101 and the bag 101 begins tocollapse around the feed line 115. The peristaltic pump is preferablyactuated for 15 minute intervals, six times in a 24 hour period, orevery six seconds, as discussed above to move the solution 13 from thebag 101 to an industrial waste trap (not shown). This provides apreferred dosage of 8.1 to 16.3 quarts (7,700 to 15,400 ml) every 24hours for the 55 gallon (208.3 liters) bag 101. That way, the waste trapis periodically reinoculated with a fresh charge of the solution 13 tobiodegrade liquid waste material containing lipids or other hydrocarbonsthat have been discharged into the waste trap.

As explained with respect to Example 1, the industrial waste trap isinitially inoculated with an initial charge of culture. Once theindustrial waste trap is charged with the culture, the waste trap isperiodically reinoculated with the solution 13 to biodegrade the liquidwaste material in the waste trap.

It has been unexpectedly found that the present invention preventsplugging of the drain lines in both restaurant and industrial settingsbecause fats and the like, which cling to the wall of the drain lines,are dissolved. This is of considerable aid to the municipalities.

It is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative ofthe present invention and that the present invention be limited only bythe hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method for treating a waste material to degrade the wastematerial, which comprises:(a) providing a flexible bag containingconcentrated microorganisms which are dried with between about 4×10¹⁰and 10¹⁴ living cells of the microorganism per gram that can degrade thewaste material for storage and shipment of the microorganisms in the bagprior to use; (b) filling the bag of step (a) with water to form aliquid culture medium with the microorganisms at a place remote from theshipment andinoculating the waste with an initial charge of theconcentrated microorganisms with between about 4×10¹⁰ and 10¹⁴ livingcells of the microorganism per gram; and (c) metering the liquid culturemedium containing the microorganisms from the bag using a feed lineleading from the bag through a pump means and from the pump meanswithout connection to any other feed line to supply the culture mediumcontaining the microorganisms at periodic intervals over 24 hours, intothe waste material containing the microorganisms over time to degradethe waste material, wherein the liquid culture medium is maintained atambient temperatures during the metering.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the microorganisms are naturally occurring soil microorganismsselected from a group consisting of Pseudomonas and Bacillus.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the bag is collapsed and provided with aclosable and sealable filler opening through the bag and wherein the bagis mounted in a support means with the bag expanded and filled withwater through the filler opening in the bag to form the liquid culturemedium and wherein the support means helps to support the bag containingthe liquid culture medium.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the supportmeans is a crate and after the bag is expanded and filled with water toform the liquid culture medium, the bag holds about 5 gallons of theliquid culture medium in the crate and wherein to degrade waste materialfrom a restaurant, the liquid culture medium is metered into a wasteconfining means holding the waste material inoculated with themicroorganisms to degrade the waste material produced by the restaurant.5. The method of claim 3 wherein the support means is a drum and afterthe bag is expanded and filled with water to form the liquid culturemedium, the bag holds about 55 gallons of the liquid culture mediumsupported by the drum and wherein to degrade waste material from anindustrial setting, the liquid culture medium is metered into a wasteconfining means holding the waste material containing the microorganismsto degrade the waste material produced in the industrial setting.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the pump means is a peristaltic pump.
 7. Themethod of claim 6 wherein timing control means connected to the pumpmeans is provided for metering the liquid culture medium into a draincontaining the waste material at the periodic intervals.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein the liquid culture medium contains at least about 10⁶cells per gram.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the support means is acrate and after the bag is expanded and filled with water to form theliquid culture medium, the bag holds about 5 gallons of the liquidculture medium in the crate and wherein to degrade waste material from arestaurant, the liquid culture medium is metered into a waste confiningmeans holding the waste material containing the microorganisms todegrade the waste material produced by the restaurant.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein every 24 hours, the pump means meters between about 700and 1,400 ml of the liquid culture medium into the waste confining meansto degrade the waste material over a period of up to 30 days.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the support means is a drum and after the bagis expanded and filled with water to form the liquid culture medium, thebag holds about 55 gallons of the liquid culture medium supported by thedrum and wherein to degrade waste material from an industrial setting,the liquid culture medium is metered into a waste confining meansholding the waste material containing the microorganisms to degrade thewaste material produced in the industrial setting.
 12. The method ofclaim 11 wherein every 24 hours, the pump means meters between about7,700 and 15,400 ml of the liquid culture medium into the wasteconfining means to degrade the waste material over a period of up to 1day.
 13. A method for treating a liquid waste material to degrade thewaste, which comprises:(a) providing a collapsed, flexible bag with aclosable and sealable filler opening and containing concentratedmicroorganisms which can degrade the waste material, wherein theconcentrated microorganisms which are dried with between about 4×10¹⁰and 10¹⁴ living cells of the microorganism per gram and which arecontained in the bag so that the microorganisms are viable for storageand shipment of the microorganisms in the bag of step (a) prior to use;(b) expanding and completely filling the bag at a place remote from theshipment with water through the filler opening, wherein the bag isprovided in a support means, which supports the bag to form a liquidculture medium with the microorganisms with the filler opening at anuppermost portion of the bag andinoculating the waste with an initialcharge of the concentrated microorganisms with between about 4×10¹⁰ and10¹⁴ living cells of the microorganism per gram; and (c) metering theliquid culture medium from the bag using a feed line leading from thebag through a pump means and from the pump means without connection toany other feed line to supply the culture medium at intervals over 24hours, through the filler opening into the waste material containing themicroorganisms to degrade the waste material, wherein the liquid culturemedium is maintained at ambient temperatures during the metering. 14.The method of claim 13 wherein the microorganisms are naturallyoccurring soil Pseudomonas.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the bagis made of blow molded polypropylene.
 16. The method of claim 13 whereinthe liquid culture medium is metered into the waste material over aperiod of about 1 to 3 days to degrade the waste material.
 17. A methodfor treating a drain line to degrade lipids which tend to clog the drainline, which comprises:(a) providing a collapsed, flexible bag with aclosable and sealable filler opening and containing concentratedmicroorganisms which are dried with between about 4×10¹⁰ and 10¹⁴ livingcells of the microorganism per gram, which degrade the lipids, whereinthe collapsed bag is comprised of a plastic which reduces light reachingthe microorganisms through the bag and is held at reduced temperaturesso that the concentrated microorganisms are viable during storage andshipment of the microorganisms in the bag prior to use; (b) expandingand completely filling the bag of step (a) with water through theopening in the bag to form a liquid culture medium containing themicroorganisms at a place remote from the shipment, wherein the bag isprovided in a support means, which supports the bag with the filleropening at an uppermost portion of the bag andinoculating the waste withan initial charge of the concentrated microorganisms with between about4×10¹⁰ and 10¹⁴ living cells of the microorganism per gram; and (c)metering the liquid culture medium through the filler opening in the bagusing a feed line through the filler opening in the bag through a pumpmeans and from the pump means without connection to any other feed lineto supply the culture medium containing the microorganisms, and into adrain line over time to degrade the lipids in the drain line, whereinthe liquid culture medium is maintained at ambient temperatures duringthe metering and wherein the bag collapses as the liquid culture mediumis withdrawn through the feed line.
 18. The method of claim 17 whereinthe containment means is a crate with an open top into which the bag isinserted prior to filling with water so that the baa rests inside thecrate.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein after the bag is expanded andfilled with water to form the liquid culture medium, the bag holds about5 gallons of the liquid culture medium and is supported in the crate.20. The method of claim 17 wherein the support means is a drum and afterthe bag is expanded and filled with water to form the liquid culturemedium, the bag holds about 55 gallons of the liquid culture medium andis supported in the drum.
 21. The method of claim 17 wherein themetering is into a sink line leading from a sink trap.
 22. The method ofclaim 17 wherein the microorganisms are naturally occurring soilmicroorganisms selected from a group consisting of Pseudomonas andBacillus.
 23. The method of claim 17 wherein the feed line at an endinside the bag is provided with a strainer to prevent obstruction of thefeed line by the bag as the bag is emptied of the liquid culture medium.